Ever head to "2nd hand" cinemas ($1-4/movie)?

JediFonger · 07-31-2006, 08:44 PM

just discovered a local cinema here that plays movies that have been released 2.5 months ago! it's a great way to catchup on what i missed and/or see those indies much later when i have time. the price is $2.5/movie or you can roam around and the teenage "manager" doesn't even care (he explicitly told me to stay as long as you want).

i didn't but i checked out how many people were in each (8 total playing various older releases) and there were under 10 people in each cinema. so, no crying babies, no foul-mouthed teens, just people who missed it the 1st time and need to catchup. granted it's pretty much all mono or stereo, taht's why i watched thank you for smoking. but there is one auditorium with dts in it =). that just can't be beat for $2.5 =).

Jason Harbaugh · 07-31-2006, 08:50 PM

There was a great theatre in NYC that I used to always go to that played second run. But unlike most second run theatres, this one actually had a nice sized screen and great sound. Tickets were $3 and concessions were reasonable. It was always packed though but I usually went there for something I missed, or if I wanted to catch a movie for the 2nd or 3rd time before it left theatres for good.

I don't know of any around here though like that. The only 2nd run spots I know of are of pretty poor quality. Heck, if a movie has been out for more than 2 weeks I usually say forget it and wait for DVD because by then they are moved to the smaller screens in the multiplexes anyways. I'm not paying $10 for a crappy presentation.

Seth=L · 07-31-2006, 08:51 PM

Oh it gets better, Here in Fort Wayne, IN we have a Starplex Cinemas 13 theater. It has better sound than the regular theaters in my home town Kokomo , IN. Get this it is only a $1 for matinees, $1.50 late shows, and they have a 50 cent Tuesday. It does't get much sweeter than that, except for my home theater it's pretty sweet too.

Seth=L

Elizabeth S · 07-31-2006, 09:09 PM

There's a 8(?)-screen place here that has $1.00 movies everyday, all day long. I used to frequent it when it was an arthouse theatre and got exclusive bookings, but they didn't make enough money from the concessions. I've never returned since the change to 2nd run films, as I imagine it full of ill-behaved families with children running around. Even for $1.00, I don't want to deal with that!

Seth=L · 07-31-2006, 09:11 PM

The Starplex was the same way a dollar no matter what but they changed, sigh.

Seth=L

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RyanAn · 07-31-2006, 09:42 PM

When our new (current) 16 screen theatre opened in 1998, our six or seven year old 6-screen in mall theatre became a second run theatre - still the same great little theatre, but cheaper. I found myself seeing a movie in stadium seating for $5.00 at the new theatre and then a few months later watching it again for a buck. Totally worth it.

It also helped when they seemingly got movies I missed due to a lack of cash flow.

I'm a big theatre connoisseur and love seeing theatres, even if they are a little past their prime.

I've found that these types of theatres have a more laid-back atsmosphere and are definately a positive expierence.

Oh, and did I mention I worked at both?

ry

BrettGallman · 07-31-2006, 11:12 PM

I just recently went to a theater where it cost me $4.50 to catch a matinee showing of Miami Vice. I had no clue it was that cheap, as the theater is not that old. It only has 8 screens and has been kind of left behind as all the bigger multiplexes have come into the area. They still (obviously) show movies in their first run, and I was pleasantly surprised that the theater was in excellent shape. No stadium seating, but that doesn't bother me during a matinee when no one else is there hardly. The screen and projection were of good quality, as was the audio. Definately worth $4.50.

Adam Lenhardt · 07-31-2006, 11:42 PM

Love second-run theaters. I wouldn't be able to go as much as I do without them. Proctor's (old vaudville/movie house converted to mainstream theater) still shows movies in the summer for $3. One huge theater restored to its original appearance with one large screen. I saw "Mrs. Henderson Presents" there; considering the subject matter I couldn't think of a more emersive experience for that film. It was like watching it INSIDE the Windmill.

Steve_Knutzen · 08-01-2006, 04:16 AM

I LOVED the 12-screen second-run theater that we used to have in the area. I saw everything from The Big Lebowski, to the re-release of Grease, to There's Something About Mary there. The employees were a little strange but I really wish it was still around.

Stephen Orr · 08-01-2006, 06:08 AM

My backyard bumps up to the parking lot of a shopping center that has a Cinema Cafe, that shows stuff a couple of months old on four screens. Cost is $1.50 - 3.50 a movie. I also live a couple of miles from a military base with a .99 theater, that shows stuff only a month old - Superman Returns will be there this weekend. I also see free sneaks out there sometimes (including SR and World Trade Center). Slowest consession stand in the world, though, so a lot of people sneak their own food in!

John Mansor · 08-01-2006, 10:31 AM

Anyone know of a 2nd hand theater near Philadelphia? Thanks.